“Animals that we get at the shelter are throwaways,” Wimer said. “No one speaks up for them enough.”

He said he’s trying to do more than just speak up for them. He is recording songs and posting them on YouTube, one every day for a year. He hopes people will be moved by his performances and donate money to the shelter.

“I’ve set a lofty goal,” he said. “It’s $500,000 by the end of this year.”